Device for the selective removal and assembly of articles



G. A. REEVE March 6, 1934.

DEVICE FOR THE SELECTIVE REMOVAL AND ASSEMBLY OF ARTICLES Filed Feb. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. $076 A abut ATTORNEYS.

DEVICE FOR THE SELECTIVE REMOVAL AND ASSEMBLY OF ARTICLES Filed Feb. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheefi 2 INVENTOR.

l ATTORNEYS G. A. REEVE March 6, 1934.

DEVICE FOR THE SELECTIVE REMOVAL AND ASSEMBLY OF ARTICLES Filed Feb. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR THE SELECTIVE REMOVAL AND ASSEMBLY OF ARTICLES Application February 25, 1932, Serial No. 595,033

14 Claims.

My invention relates to devices for use in connection with run-out or conveyor tables, or the like, where the object is the selective removal of articles in accordance with their predetermined i characteristics, and the assembly of these articles into piles, stacks, or other organizations representative of the said distinguishing qualities thereof. In the particular exemplary embodiment which I shall describe for the purpose of .making a complete disclosure, my invention is employed in connection with a conveyor table for the sorting of metallic sheets into piles determined, say, by their length as a distinguishing characteristic. While the invention is not so limited, it will preferably be used in this exemplary embodiment at least with means for determining automatically the characteristics of the sheets in accordance with which they are to be sorted. Such means either are effective first in measuring or otherwise equalifying the sheets, and then are effective in initiating a series of operations in a control apparatus which will actuate my device for the removal of the sheets at an initially selected station, or else each of the i several stations along my conveyor may be equipped with its own particular selective mechanism and controlling means for the actuation of my take-off mechanism. While my invention is not limited thereto, a satisfactory selection and control apparatus of the first type for use in my invention is described in the co-pending application of Howard C. Snyder, entitled Automatic sheet measuring and sorting devices, Ser. No. 592,- 203, filed Feb. 10, 1932; and a satisfactory mechanism of the latter class is described in my copending application for Letters Patent entitled Electrically operated measuring and selecting devices, Ser. No. 587,836 filed Jan. 20, 1932.

It may in general be said in my present apparatus there is combined with a source of power, a means for the removal and stacking of sheets or other article; and that in connection with the source of power there will be appropriate starting and stopping means which may be actuated in any way desired, but will preferably be actuated by the selective devices aforesaid. The starting and stopping means may be effective directly upon the power source, as when an electric motor is equipped with suitable relay switches to the end desired; or the means may be such as affect the operative connection of my device with a source of power. Thus instead of starting and stopping an electric motor connected with my device, there may be provided a source of power and a clutch for connecting it to and disconnecting it from the driven parts of my take-off apparatus, and this clutch may beactuated by a solenoid, or the like.

My present invention is concerned primarily with mechanical or power actuated means for moving sheets or articles from a conveyor selectively at desired stages, in consequence of which I shall not particularly describe either the selective mechanisms whereby individual control of my take-off mechanisms may be automatically secured, nor those controlling elements which affeet the application of power to my device.

The objects of my invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the following specifications. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my mechanism at one of the take-off stages.

Fig. 2 is aplan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a single take-off arm upon a larger scale.

Broadly, in the practice of my invention, I provide in connection with a conveyor, a take-ofl device comprising lifting means preferably iii the form of an arm or a plurality of arms, normally laying out of the way between portions of the conveyor. The conveyor may have takeoff devices provided at as many stations as there may be classifications desired; and this is especially useful where the selecting is done by automatic devices at the stations themselves. However, it is a characteristic of my construction that a plurality of take-off devices may be provided at one station. Thus at any given point or station there may be two take-off devices, one adapted, upon a proper actuation, to remove sheets or articles of certain characteristics to a pile upon one side of the conveyor, while the other is adapted, upon suitable actuation, to remove sheets or articles of other characteristics to a pile'on the other side of the conveyor. In the employment of my apparatus it is usual to provide a conveyor having a plurality of take-oil.

stations, and means at the end thereof for 001- return movement of the arm or arms does not interfere with the passage of sheets or materials over the conveyor. This implies a folding motion, so that the arm may avoid both the stack of sheets being formed at the station and the material passing over the conveyor.

In Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown a conveyor comprising a plurality of rolls' 11 mounted upon a suitable supporting frame 12, and forming a conveyor. The rollers may, if desired, be geared together as at 13 and provided with a suitable power drive, which may comprise a drive shaft 14, a suitable power take-off assembly 15, and a sprocket chain connection 16 between this takeoff and the rollers. l p

The rolls forming my conveyor may be arranged in separate series 11, 11a, 111), etc., there being spaces between these series in which the operating parts of my take-off mechanism may move as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

My take-01f mechanism will comprise (where sheets are to be removed) a plurality of arms 6. These arms may comprise a U-shaped member 6a, in which a wooden filler block 1''! is held by means of bolts, rivets, or the like, the purpose of this filler block is to avoid the marring of. sheets or articles to be engaged thereby.

For each take-off mechanism I provide a stand or frame 1, located along side of the conveyor and suitably supported upon a general foundation. At the top of this frame I effectively pivot levers 5. This may be done by mounting a shaft 2 at the top of the frame in suitable bearings 3 and fixing the lever arms 5 non-rotatably upon said shaft. This shaft, since it is the driving shaft for my mechanism, may be provided with a sprocket 18, to which driving power may be transmitted by a chain 19.

The lever arm 5 is pivoted as at 20 to the take-off arm 6. The take-off arm also is provided with an angularly disposed arm 21, but this arm is not pivoted with relation thereto. On the contrary, it is rigidly fastened to the take-off arm 6, as by means of bolts 23. The pivot point 20 of the arm 5 is located inwardly of the end of arm 6.

The arm 21 is pivotally connected as at 24 to an arm 8, which, in turn, is pivoted to the frame 1 at 9.

Normally, as shown, the take-off arms 6 lie between the conveyor sections and below the tops thereof so as not to interfere with sheets or articles passing thereover. When it is desired to remove a sheet, power is applied to the shaft 2 to rotate it in a counter-clockwise direction. This raises the arm 5 and at the same time raises the take-off arm 6, bringing it around in a counter-clockwise direction. The arm 6 is prevented from swinging downwardly or moving in a clockwise direction at this stage by the thrust of the linkage comprising arms 8 and 21. As arm 6 rises, arm 8 will also rise, turning in a counterclockwise direction. A sheet or other article upon the conveyor will be lifted by the arm or arms 6, and as these arms rise it will be held thereon by a shoulder 10 located at the end of the arm. So long as power is applied to the shaft 2, the arm 5 will continue to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. The arm 6 rises and the arm 8 will rise until the pivot point 24 reaches a certain high point, such as that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. At this point the arm 6 is in the position shown, and the sheet or other article 25 resting thereon, is deposited by gravity between suitable stacking guides 26 and 27, located to receive it. In this position the arm 5 has swung through an arc of about 180. As this rotation continues, the arm 6 will begin to turn in a clockwise direction, since the arm 21 rigidly held thereon is prevented by the arm 8 from any further counter-clockwise rotation. Arm 8 will begin to rotate in a clockwise direction, and arm 6 will therefore swing downwardly or jack-knife with respect to arm 5. When arm 5 has swung through an arc of 270, the position of the various members will be that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, where the arm 5 is shown as vertically and downwardly disposed, the arm 8 is downwardly disposed, and the take-off arm 6 as lying substantially horizontally but well below the level of the conveyor. It will be obvious that as the arm 6 returns from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 to that shown in solid lines, it will return to position from beneath the conveyor.

The take-off mechanism on the opposite side of the conveyor runs in the opposite direction so that the arms 5 and 6 start out with an upward and outward motion on either side.

In order to accommodate the downward swing of arms 8 and 21 in the last half of the cycle a pit 28 is provided in the foundation.

It is possible, if desired, to counter-weight the arm 8, which may be done by casting integral with it orotherwise attaching to it a half sheave member 29, over which a cable 30 may pass. One end of this'cable is attached to the arm 8 as at 31, and the free end is attached to a suitable counterweigh, tension spring, or other balancing device not shown. Power may be transmitted to the shaft 2 either from the same motor which drives the conveyor, in which case a suitable clutch mechanism will be provided, or the shaft 2 may have, as shown, a separate power drive comprising an electric motor 32 driving a gear box 4, from which a chain drive 33 may transmit power to a sprocket driving the chain 19.

It is clear that during one take-01f operation the arm 5 turns through an arc of 360 degrees. During this cycle, the arm or arms 6 first lift the sheet or other article from the conveyor rollers 11, carry it off to the side of the conveyor and deposit it between the stacking guides 26 and 27. Afterward the take-off arm 6 jack-knives and comes back to starting position from beneath the conveyor table. I may provide at any one station, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, one of my take-off mechanisms upon each side of the conveyor. These may be operated to deliver sheets of different characteristics .into different piles, or both may be actuated to take off at said station sheets of the same characteristics, the separate take-off devices being timed to work in sequence. Under some circumstances this will speed up the operation of my device, particularly under circumstances where successive sheets are likely to have to be removed at the same station.

Modifications may be made in my apparatus without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. In combination with a conveyor, means for lifting material from said conveyor, said means comprising at least one lifting arm having a single lifting surface, means for driving and tilting said arm in a rotative path transverse to the axis of said conveyor in which path said arm is tilted from the horizontal to a position WhiCh will deposit the sheet by gravity therefrom, and means for guiding said arm in a re,- turn path beneath said conveyor, so as to present the same surface uppermost.

2. In combination with a conveyor, means for lifting material therefrom, said means comprising at least one lifting arm, an operating lever therefor and'a pivoted linkage connection between said arm and a fixed external point.

3. In combination with a conveyor, means for lifting material therefrom, said means comprising at least one lifting arm having a single lifting surface, means for driving and tilting said lifting arm in a rotative path transverse to said conveyor in which path said arm is tilted from the horizontal to a position which will deposit the sheet by gravity therefrom, and means for returning said lifting arm beneath said conveyor in a path which is discontinuous with the path of removal, so as to present the same surface uppermost.

4. In combination with a conveyor, means for lifting material therefrom, comprising at least one lifting arm having its surface normally disposed beneath the table top, an external support, driving means on said support, and means connected with said driving means, said support and said arm for moving said arm in a path transverse to the axis of said conveyor in sequence first with a rotative movement in one direction above the conveyor, and second with a rotative movement in the other direction beneath said conveyor.

5. In combination with a conveyor mechanism, means for lifting material therefrom, said means comprising a lifting arm, an external support, a lever arm pivoted on said support and pivoted to said lifting arm, driving means for said lever arm, a rigid arm attached to said lifting arm, and means operatively connected with said rigid arm for guiding said lifting arm in a discontinuous path during the rotation of said lever arm.

6. In combination with a conveyor, means for removing material therefrom, comprising at least one lifting arm having a surface normally disposed beneath the top of said conveyor, an external support, a lever arm pivoted to said support and to said lifting arm, means for driving said lever arm, and means connected to said support for guiding said lifting arm in a discontinuous path.

'7. In combination with a conveyor, means for removing material therefrom, comprising at least one lifting arm having a surface normally disposed beneath the top of said conveyor, an external support, a lever arm pivoted to said support and to said lifting arm, means for driving said lever arm, and means connected to said support for guiding said lifting arm in a discontinuous path, stack receiving means beyond said support, said guiding means adapted to position said lifting arm at one point in its travel in a position for delivery of material to said stack receiving means.

8. In combination with a conveyor, means for removing material therefrom, comprising at least one lifting arm having a surface normally disposed beneath the top of said conveyor, an external support, a lever arm pivoted to said support and to said lifting arm, means for driving said lever arm, and means connected to said support for guiding said lifting arm in a discontinuous path, stack receiving means beyond said support, said guiding means adapted to position said lifting arm at one point in its travel in a position for delivery of material to said stack receiving means, said lifting arm having a stop to prevent premature delivery of said material.

9. Incombination with a conveyor, means for removing material therefrom comprising at least one lifting arm having an upward surface normally disposed beneath the top of said conveyor, stack receiving means, means for driving and tilting said lifting arm, and means for guiding saidlifting arm first rotatively in one direction to a position of delivery to said stack receiving means in which path said arm is tilted from the horizontal to a position which will deposit the sheet by gravity therefrom, and secondly rotatively in the other direction through a return path beneath the top of said conveyor.

10. In combination with a conveyor mechanism, means for removing material therefrom comprising at least one lifting arm having an upper surface normally disposed below the top of said conveyor, an external support, a lever arm pivoted on said support and to said lifting arm, a rigid arm attached to said lifting arm and downwardly disposed, and a rigid linkage connection between said rigid arm and said support.

11. In combination with a conveyor mechanism, means for removing material therefrom comprising at least one lifting arm having an upper surface normally disposed below the top of said conveyor, an external support, a lever arm pivoted on said support and to said lifting arm, a rigid arm attached to said lifting arm and downwardly disposed, and a rigid linkage connection between said rigid arm and said support, the length of said arms being such that during a complete rotation of said lever arm said lifting arm will rotate in one direction through a path above the top of said conveyor to a position of delivery, and second in another direction through a return path beneath said conveyor.

12. In combination with a conveyor mechanism, means for removing material therefrom comprising at least one lifting arm having an upper surface normally disposed below the top of said conveyor, an external support, a lever arm pivoted on said support and to said lifting arm, a rigid arm attached to said lifting arm and downwardly disposed, and a rigid linkage connection between said rigid arm and said support, the length of said arms being such that during a complete rotation of said lever arm said lifting arm will rotate in one direction through a path above the top of said conveyor to a position of delivery, and second in another direction through a return path beneath said conveyor, and means for counter-weighting said linkage arm.

13. In combination with a conveyor vmechanism, means for removing material therefrom comprising at least one lifting arm having an upper surface normally disposed below the top of said conveyor, an external support, a lever arm pivoted on said support and to said lifting arm, a rigid arm attached to said lifting arm and downwardly disposed, and a rigid linkage connection between said rigid arm and said support, the length of said arms being such that during a complete rotation of said lever arm said lifting arm will rotate in one direction through a path above the top of said conveyor to a position of delivery, and second in another direction through a return path beneath said conveyor, said lever arm being pivoted to said lifting arm intermediate its ends and said rigid arm attached thereto substantially at an end thereof.

14. In combination with a conveyor mechanism, means for removing material therefrom arm will rotate in one direction through a path above the top of said conveyor to a position of delivery, and second in another direction through a return path beneath said conveyor, said lever arm being pivoted to said lifting arm intermediate its ends and said rigid arm attached thereto substantially at an end thereof, said lifting arm having a stop for material at one of its ends.

GEORGE A. REEVE. 

